Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 12th July 2026.

12th July, 2026.

It’s Sunday … and, right at the moment … ?

I don’t think I’ve heard a train go past!

In case you didn’t know?

I live next to the Shenfield to Liverpool Street line: not five minutes walk from Brentwood Station.

So, as regular as clockwork?   I’ll hear cars going past: and trains.

On a regular basis.

It’s usually quieter on a Sunday: but you still hear the things chuntering past.

To the point where you don’t notice them.

Apart from days like today … when you notice the fact there’s no trains going past!

Literally none have gone past, this morning.

I’m wondering if there’s work being done: or a strike.

It’s unnervingly quiet!

So much so, I’ve just checked the website.

Apparently, there’s a reduced service: because there’s been a fire at Stratford Station.

That’s that, explained!

~≈🚂≈~

Let’s move on.


Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with Debbi scoring ten out of ten, and Mum on nine.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        Anna Friel was born on 12th July, 1976.   She played Beth Jordache in which British soap opera?

Q2)        According to the UN, 12th July is the international Day of what: faith, hope or charity?

Q3)        12th July is Saint Veronica’s Day.   She’s the patron saint of whom: photographers, painters or sound engineers?

Q4)        A pope was elected: on 12th July, 526AD.   Which pope: John 1st, Felix 4th or Disastrous 45th?

Q5)        Finally … ?   David Brown was born on 12th July, 1959.   He’s an Australian what: guitarist, drag queen or meteorologist?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        11th July is World Horse Day.   According to whom: the United Nations, the European Union or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals?

A1)        The United Nations.

Q2)        How many legs does a healthy horse have?

A2)        Four.

Q3)        A male horse is a stallion.   A female horse is what: a mare, monkey or mynah bird?

A3)        A mare.

Q4)        A gelding is a male horse that’s been what?

A4)        Castrated.

Q5)        Mules, and hinnys, are hybrids.   A horse is one parent: what’s the other?

A5)        A donkey.   (The mule is a cross between a male donkey and a mare.   The hinny is the offspring of a stallion and a Jenny, a female donkey.)



Q6)        ‘Mustang’ is the US term for a feral horse: a domesticated horse that’s gone wild.   A ‘Brumby’ is a feral horse from where: Australia, New Zealand or South Africa?

A6)        Australia.

Q7)        The height of horses is usually measured in hands.   How many inches are there, in a hand?

A7)        Four.

Q8)        ‘Horse’ is a nickname for what: amphetamine, cocaine or heroin?

A8)        Heroin.

Q9)        Bellerophon rode a flying horse.   Called what?

A9)        Pegasus.   Apparently, Pegasus was the child of Poseidon and Medusa.   The Ancient Greeks were a funny bunch ….

Q10)        Finally … ?   In The Lord of the Rings, who rode a horse called Shadowfax?

A10)        Gandalf.

Here’s a thought …

“Onstage, there’s no hiding; you either can or can’t act.   There’s no second take.”

Anna Friel, born 12th July, 1976.

And a song …

The next 10 question sets are tomorrow, 30th July, and 11th August: they’re about “I Don’t Like Mondays”, the Beano and World Steel Pan Day.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is avoided when writing these questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!   (A hand is four inches, Mum, rather than twelve.   Twelve is a foot!)

†        I one I think of is Quadrophenia, Debbi: although that ends at Beachey Head … 

        The next ten question set is tomorrow: it’s about “I Don’t Like Mondays”.